Court-ordered settlement talks in Blake Lively‘s sexual harassment and retaliation lawsuit against Justin Baldoni have floundered, and the It Ends With Us co-stars are almost certainly going to trial.
Lively and Baldoni failed to settle her sexual harassment lawsuit on Wednesday, after a daylong mediation in federal court.
The “It Ends With Us” co-stars entered the New York courthouse and spent much of the day in separate courtrooms on the 14th floor.
At the end of the day, each exited the building, passed through a throng of media and said nothing.
Bryan Freedman, Baldoni’s attorney, confirmed to reporters that no deal had been reached. He acknowledged that a deal could still happen, but seemed to think it was unlikely.
Asked if he believed the case would go to trial, Freedman said, “I do. We’re looking forward to it.”
The mediation with Magistrate Judge Sarah L. Cave is a routine part of federal procedure. While both sides previously had in-person sessions with Cave, there was no outward indication that either side expected the talks to go anywhere.
Lively has accused Baldoni of harassing her on the set of “It Ends With Us,” and working with his publicists to orchestrate a smear campaign against her after she complained. A trial is set for May 18.
Judge Lewis Liman is considering whether to throw out or substantially pare back Lively’s complaint ahead of trial.
Baldoni’s team has argued in a summary judgment motion that the suit amounts to little more than petty grievances that fall well below the standard for harassment. Lively’s side, meanwhile, has noted that other actors also had complaints about Baldoni’s conduct on set, and that the allegations do rise to the level to be decided by a jury.
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